Kerala rains live updates: 29 people dead; 54,000 left homeless

Incessant torrential rains in several parts of Kerala have taken a heavy toll on life and property, with Idukki and parts of northern Kerala and Palakkad district bearing the brunt of the flash floods. Stay with us for all the live updates:

According to the Kerala government, as on Friday evening over 23,000 people have been put up in 254 relief camps. Army has been deployed in the worst-affected districts of Idukki, Erankulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur.

23:24 (IST), Aug 10

Minor earthquake reported in Mambad region of Nilmabur on the banks of Chaliyar river. Four houses damaged in the tremor.

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The water current in rivers are very high, which is the most significant impediment for the Army rescue team to reach the cut off villages of Wayanad.

Army spokesperson

21:25 (IST), Aug 10

Kerala tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran wrote on Facebook that all the tourists have been rescued with help from Army.

21:11 (IST), Aug 10

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala visits flood-affected areas

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala visited the flood-affected areas along the banks of Periyar. He evaluated the measures taken by the authorities to tackle the situation when water released from Idukki dam reaches Periyar.

Two IAS officers, who are former Ernakulam district collectors, have been entrusted with the task of co-ordinating relief operations in Ernakulam district.

20:44 (IST), Aug 10

The waters are set to reach parts of Ernakulam and Thrissur districts and authorities in these two districts are on a high alert. The authorities have decided to keep open all the five floodgates of the Idukki dam for a specified period of time. (IAN

55 people have so far been evacuated from flood hit areas in Kerala by the Navy in its 'Operation Madad' to assist the state government, following heavy rains and release of excess water from many dams.

Red alert has been issued in the district till August 14 taking into account the flood situation. The district administration is on high alert to shift all people living in flood and landslide prone areas to safer locations.

20:07 (IST), Aug 10

Heavy rain and flood has battered Wayanad district. As many as 10,400 persons from 1964 families have been shifted to relief camps in the district.

Dam reservoirs and rivers overflowed, sections of highways collapsed and homes were swept away in severe flooding in more than half of Kerala, after days of incessant rains left nearly 54,000 people homeless and killed at least 29, officials said on Friday.

19:40 (IST), Aug 10

Kochi's Aluva is flooded as water level of Periyar river has risen.

#Kerala: Kochi's Aluva is flooded as water level of Periyar river has risen after 5 shutters of Idukki dam were ope… https://t.co/XmmbpBO1J4